Tourbox Questions

[one bad monkey]

In the past year, I've become a consultant for a boutique effect builder, specializing in bass effects. We've been talking about starting a tourbox of his latest pedal (which is an update of a previous one that was unveiled at NAMM this past Jan).

I'm gathering info from people that have been in tourboxes below to find out what they liked, what they didn't, etc.. in an effort to make a good suggestion. One of my thoughts right now is to limit the amount of people on the list, but extend the trial period to something close to two weeks. That should (hopefully) take care of any excuse for someone to keep it that extra day or two to try it on a gig.

Any other suggestions?

[colin]

Two weeks seems really excessive to me, tourboxes take a long time to get through the list even with four day limits. So unless you're planning on keeping the list to under ten people, expect it to take well over a year from first on the list to last.

[one bad monkey]

Two weeks seems really excessive to me, tourboxes take a long time to get through the list even with four day limits. So unless you're planning on keeping the list to under ten people, expect it to take well over a year from first on the list to last.

That's exactly where we're planning on keeping it; 5-10. Given that a lot of guys usually hold the thing for at least a week, we thought having something over that would be easier. Plus, if you want to send it out earlier, go ahead.

[Jwar]

I want in! Don't care what it is, but I want in!!!!!!!!!!!




Seriously though. The more people, the more confusing it is. I just did a mini tour with my own pedals, and that was confusing enough for me! We're only talking like 5 people too! hahaha.

I'd limit the number of people. One week seems fair to me. No more than that though. Some people around these parts like to hold onto pedals for WAY too long. Pretty selfish and annoying. So with that in mind, I think you need to take into account their transaction history. It's harder here since there is no rating system on trades/sales, but you can read through the good trade thread. Post counts don't always matter. I've seen a few people get fucker here on ILF by members with higher post counts, so don't trust that crap.

I like tourboxes.

[excane]

I'll be glad to partake in this.

I'd keep it to 5-10 people max. Yaa it's gonna be a while if people don't stick to the week rule. PHUCKERSS.

[one bad monkey]

The builder was also toying with the idea that some companies do (I've heard of this with classical bows). You put down your credit card info and in the event that you are the one holding the entire tourbox, you get one reminder. The second reminder, your CC is charged for the pedal and a new one is sent to the next person on the list.

It seems really steep; when you're demo'ing a $2000 double bass bow I can understand it, but for an effect pedal? I see the good side, as in it would all but guarantee that you'd have the pedal moving through the list in an orderly manner. On the other end, I could see a lot of people that may be of benefit on the tourbox, opting not to apply for it.

[excane]

It's one avenue to explore....

No different than checking into a hotel and them keep your CC on file in case you pull a Led Zep and completely trash the place. I have to travel almost every 3 weeks for work, and always have to give my CC info when checking in, even though it's already paid for by my company.

If people are straight shooters, there wouldn't be anything to worry about. On the other hand, I do understand not wanting to give your card info out and possibly be misused/abused.

[MEC]

The credit card info isn't a bad idea but I wouldn't actually charge it unless it had be at least a month or the person
had not been in contact. 10 days is probably long enough to keep the box and with shipping it will still be two weeks
from one person to the next.

If you are looking to get feedback from each person maybe put a questionnaire up online that each person would have
to fill out in order to receive the address of the next person.

[Jwar]

Yea, we'd have to have more info on the builder to do something like that. I mean at least me personally. CC info is going to be very hard to give out without knowing it's in the right hands. Perhaps there's another way? God why can't people just be honest! What the fuck is wrong with this world?

[one bad monkey]

The credit card info isn't a bad idea but I wouldn't actually charge it unless it had be at least a month or the person
had not been in contact. 10 days is probably long enough to keep the box and with shipping it will still be two weeks
from one person to the next.

If you are looking to get feedback from each person maybe put a questionnaire up online that each person would have
to fill out in order to receive the address of the next person.

We're talking about timelines at this point. My thought would be if the usual time to keep the pedal is 1 week (7 days) then at the third week you get your first reminder and then after another week (which would be about the month limit), your CC is charged.

A questionnaire at the end is a nice idea; I've done that with the Elixer string trial, so it would be a good avenue to explore. I also proposed the idea of raffling off the tourbox pedal at the end to the person with the most unique video or audio clip.

[one bad monkey]

Yea, we'd have to have more info on the builder to do something like that. I mean at least me personally. CC info is going to be very hard to give out without knowing it's in the right hands. Perhaps there's another way? God why can't people just be honest! What the fuck is wrong with this world?

The other option is when you're filling out the application, that you provide forums you frequent and eBay name, if applicable. That would be a kind of "background check" where they could see how prompt you are.

[behndy]

i like doing tourboxes. they're fun and a great way to check out pedz without the whole buy & flip annoyance (i know jWARious REVELS in that action... i try to avoid it). but i would not give out my cc info. i've been on 5 or 6 and i make sure i get it out within a week. that gives plenty of time to check it out and do a vid demo or whatever.

the questionare is a good idea, and i hypothetically see the merit of having a way to make people not lag, but i wouldn't feel comfy with giving out my monies data.

but yeah, 10 people limit, stress how important getting it shipped within 7 days of receiving it, keeping up with it where you email whoever has it the address of the next person when tbey get the box..... urm. include candy? candy is ALWAYS a sign of a good builder.

[excane]

Yeah, more I think about it.... I don't think I'd give out my CC info just for a tourbox.

I understand the builder wanting protection, but the damage that can come from abused CC info is WAY more than losing a pedal.

[one bad monkey]

Thanks for the input, guys. This really helps, and I'm with you guys. While I'd have no problem sending it out on time (and I always have in the tourboxes I've been in), providing CC info to demo something isn't something I'm keen on. Unlike, what I previously mentioned, was a $2000 bow or something closer to that range.

I'm hoping I can either get him to realize that the pedal we send out for all intents and purposes is written off, or maybe for those of us with eBay accounts, provide your name on there so you could use your transaction history as that "background check."

[behndy]

yah. that's a good point too. i dunno if somebody SHOULD do a tourbox if they can't afford to just give up on the pedal. i don't trust the post to correctly handle a package in one shipping, so..... 10 or more? it's gonna get tossed around a LOT.